Das Feller-Forum » Italian forward Joachim Ramoser made knee-on-kne

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Royals shook up their coaching staff Thursday in an attempt to jumpstart their failing offence, making Dale Sveum the hitting coach and Mike Jirschele their third base coach. Pedro Grifol, who took over as hitting coach last season, will now instruct catchers. The moves were announced after the Royals finished off a disastrous homestand that included a sweep at the hands of Houston, and before they opened a four-game series in Toronto. Sveum said the Royals havent done a good enough job this season of hitting pitches in the upper half of the strike zone. "The bottom line is weve struggled with elevation and weve swung at pitches down in the zone probably way too much," he said. "From thigh high to the top of the strike zone, were not doing enough damage." The Royals began the day last in the majors with 21 homers, putting them on pace to match the 1976 club for the fewest in franchise history for a non-strike-shortened season. Theyre also last in the American League in runs and slugging percentage. "There is not one man in the lineup thats hitting the ball well," Royals designated hitter Billy Butler said Wednesday. "Were just cold." Yost said "a different voice can make a difference," to struggling batters, but the Royals have heard plenty of voices about hitting: Sveum is Kansas Citys fifth hitting coach in less than three seasons. The Royals let go of Kevin Seitzer two years ago in the hope that somebody else would help the club generate more power. Seitzer was eventually hired by the Blue Jays, who currently lead the majors with 76 homers -- more than Kansas City is on pace for all season. Jack Maloof and Andre David were hired before last season, but they only made it a couple of months before they were reassigned within the franchise. It was at that point that the Royals hired Grifol and Hall of Famer George Brett on an interim basis. The Royals showed signs of life once that duo was in charge, slowly climbing into playoff contention. Grifol was given the job on a full-time basis after Brett stepped down in July, but lasted less than a year in the role. "Hes the one that pulled us out of our trouble last year," Yost said of Grifol Thursday. "A year later, we find ourselves in the exact same spot." Sveum, a former Brewers and Cubs manager, had been serving as the Royals third base coach. But he also has plenty of experience as a hitting coach, helping Milwaukee finish in the top three of the National League in homers in each of his three seasons. "Hes got experience, he studies hitting," Yost said. "Hes got a lot of knowledge. He helped Prince Fielder get, in my opinion, to the next level as an offensive performer." Byron Buxton Twins Jersey .com) - The Ottawa Senators will try to keep their slim playoff hopes alive when they face the Chicago Blackhawks who are trying to secure their place in the post-season. 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Louis Cardinals won the World Series last season, but after losing first baseman Albert Pujols to free agency and manager Tony LaRussa to retirement, they opened the 2012 season in 12th spot in the TSN.MINSK, Belarus -- Alex Burrows suffered an apparent right knee injury in the first period of Team Canadas game against Italy at the world hockey championship and will not return. Italian forward Joachim Ramoser made knee-on-knee contact with Burrows in Canadas offensive zone with 56 seconds left in the first period. Burrows, who plays for the Vancouver Canucks, was down on the ice in a lot of pain before being attended to by trainers and helped off the ice. The 33-year-old Burrows was not able to put any pressure on his right leg as he was helped off by Brayden Schenn and Nathan MacKinnon. Ramoser was given a five-minute major penalty and an autoomatic game misconduct.dddddddddddd. A Hockey Canada spokesman said early in the second period that Burrows was out of the game with a lower-body injury and was being evaluated. Its the second straight year a Canadian player was the victim of a knee-on-knee hit at this tournament. Eric Staal was on the receiving end of one in the quarter-final in 2013 against Sweden, suffering a sprained MCL. Alex Edler was suspended the remainder of that tournament and then the first two games of the Sochi Olympics for injuring Staal. Ramosers hit will be subject to review by the IIHF, though replays made it look like the contact was not intentional. ' ' '